Director of the Colopy Entrepreneurship Program at NCSSM

Bio:

Chip has spent 20 years in education as a program developer, technologist and funder, turning emerging technologies into impactful services. At Duke University, he spent a decade as a senior technologist and Innovation Architect, building one of the largest and most recognized programs of its kind in higher education where it earned a listing among the Top 50 by Newsweek. He frequently collaborates with innovators, entrepreneurs, and funders and has been involved in developing numerous products, services, publications, and inventions. Chip has also taught at Duke’s Pratt School of Engineering and served as an Emerging Technologist and Director in the UNC System, where he pioneered streaming media use in education.  Chip has a graduate degree in Instructional Design and Technology and is a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. 

Software Engineer

Educational Background:  

• B.S. Computer Engineering, Rose Hulman Institute of Technology

How did you decide on your current career path:  

When I got my first computer at 12, I knew that I would be pursuing a career involving computers and/or electronics. As a kid, I would often take things apart and attempt to put them back together. I've had an engineering mindset as long as I can remember.

Interests outside of work:  

Running, Board Games, Volunteering

Advice you would tell yourself at 13 years old:  

Don't change a thing.

Founder @ STEM PLUG

Educational Background:

I hold a master’s degree in Education, Technology, and Entrepreneurship from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Before that, I earned a bachelor's degree in science and worked over a decade in roles spanning scientific research and automation engineering. My educational journey started off rocky — I graduated high school with a 1.8 GPA — but I found my passion through hands-on learning and never looked back.

How did you decide on your career path? 

It all started with a high school project on kidney disease. My aunt, who battled kidney failure, inspired me to dive deeper into how the human body works. That curiosity sparked a love for science and eventually engineering. Over the years, I realized that many kids from neighborhoods like mine didn’t get those “aha” moments early enough. That pushed me to create STEM PLUG — to make STEM more relatable, hands-on, and accessible through books, robots, and real-world storytelling.

What are your interests outside of work? 

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family — especially being a dad. I also enjoy creative writing, exploring new technologies, and mentoring youth. I'm a big believer in storytelling as a tool for change, which is why I’ve written children’s books like Robotic Adventures to connect with the next generation.

What advice would you give to your 13-year old self? 

You don’t have to have it all figured out right now. Stay curious, stay true to yourself, and remember that your current circumstances do not define your future. You’re going to turn your struggles into strengths and build something that helps others do the same. Keep building, even when no one’s watching — your time is coming.

Structural Engineer and CEO of STEMedia

Job Description:  I am a Structural Engineer and the CEO of an educational media company (STEMedia) that produces content and programming for organizations like PBS, Discovery and Smithsonian.

Educational Background:  

I went to high school in Huntsville, Alabama, and stayed there for college, earning a bachelor's degree in applied mathematics from Oakwood University, an HBCU in Huntsville. I also earned a bachelor's degree in civil engineering with a structural concentration from the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), where I continued to complete a master’s degree in civil engineering with the same focus. After that, I moved to Raleigh, North Carolina, to pursue my Ph.D. in structural engineering and mechanics at North Carolina State University.

How did you decide on your current career path:  

I’ve always wanted a career that allowed me to use technical skills to help people and engage with them directly. That’s why I chose civil engineering—it impacts the things we interact with every day, like roads, bridges, and buildings. But I got even more excited when I began sharing what I was learning through media. That led me to start my own business creating TV shows and content to educate and inspire others about science and engineering.

Interests outside of work:  

Outside of work, my interests are Sports (Basketball and Football), playing the Bass Guitar, participating at church and my family's wellbeing. 

Advice you would tell yourself at 13 years old:  

Stop wasting time worrying about what others think. You have so many gifts, talents, and interests you’re holding back on just because you're afraid they might seem uncool. But if you stay focused and tune out the noise, you’ll grow in ways others will later wish they had. Trust what you’re drawn to. Pursue what feels right to you, not what’s popular. Your future self will thank you.

Founder

Educational Background:  

My educational path reflects an intentional evolution from creative foundation to entrepreneurial leadership. I began with art history and fine arts at Kent State University, developing the critical thinking and aesthetic sensibilities that would later shape how I approach innovation. Post-graduate studies in interior design at UC Berkeley taught me that beautiful solutions must also be functional, a principle I now apply to business strategy. My 500-hour yoga teacher certification represents more than wellness. It's about understanding balance, resilience, and the mind-body connection that every entrepreneur needs. At Babson College, I deepened my entrepreneurship expertise, while my recent AI studies at Wharton online ensure I'm preparing the next generation of women leaders for tomorrow's business landscape. This diverse foundation, from art to design to mindfulness to cutting-edge technology, mirrors the multifaceted thinking required to build sustainable ventures and support women in creating businesses that matter.

How did you decide on your current career path:  

Honestly, I didn't decide so much as I stayed open to what life was teaching me. I started as an art dealer in Chicago, but in a sliding doors moment, I shifted into high-tech PR in San Francisco. That pivot set me on a career path that has been anything but linear.

As a serial entrepreneur, I've learned that what looks like failure is often preparation in disguise. Each venture taught me something essential about resilience, market timing, or customer needs. I've owned Redtail since 2015, and now I'm lucky enough to teach entrepreneurship at Meredith College.

My non-linear path became my greatest asset. It showed me that career decisions don't have to follow a prescribed route. Sometimes the most important choice is simply staying curious and trusting that each experience is building something meaningful. Now I help my students understand that their unique journey, with all its unexpected turns, is exactly what will make them distinctive leaders.

Interests outside of work:  

I love helping people solve challenges so much that I'd do my work for free if I could. The line between work and passion blurred long ago for me.

Outside the classroom, I'm happiest spending time with my family, tending my garden, and getting lost in a good book. I travel whenever possible because new places teach me things I can't learn any other way. My yoga and meditation practice keeps me grounded and reminds me that the best solutions often come when we stop forcing them.

I'm drawn to water and mountains because they put everything in perspective. There's something about being in nature that strips away the noise and connects you to what really matters. Whether I'm hiking a trail or sitting by a lake, those moments of stillness fuel my creativity and remind me why I'm passionate about helping others find their own path.

Advice you would tell yourself at 13 years old:  

I would tell her to trust the process and just put one foot in front of the other. The Universe rewards action, so sometimes the bravest thing to do is just start and trust you'll figure it out as you go along.

At thirteen, I thought I needed to have everything mapped out perfectly before I could begin. I wish I'd known then that clarity comes through doing, not thinking. Every step teaches you something about the next one, but you can't see that from the starting line.

I'd also tell her that the things that make her different aren't things to hide or fix. That art history degree that seemed impractical? It taught me to see patterns and tell stories. Those moments of uncertainty? They were building my tolerance for the ambiguity that every entrepreneur faces.

Most importantly, I'd say that it's okay not to know where you're headed. The most interesting people I know, including the women I teach now, didn't follow a straight line. They followed their curiosity and trusted that each experience was preparing them for something they couldn't yet see. Sometimes the best plan is simply to begin.

Co-Founder, Carolina Instruments

Job Description:  I am a Co-Founder of Carolina Instruments, a startup company developing eye-tracking technology for neuroscience research. We build devices that help scientists study things like attention, brain activity, and behavior by measuring tiny movements in the eyes. 

Educational Background:  

I graduated from NCSSM in 2019 and went to UNC Chapel Hill where I graduated from the UNC-NC State Joint Department of Biomedical Engineering with a minor in Neuroscience in 2023.

How did you decide on your current career path:  

After years of working in research labs, I realized the traditional PhD path wasn’t the right fit for me. While I enjoyed scientific environments, I was more interested in developing tools and improving experimental setups than publishing papers. As lab manager for a collaborative engineering and neuroscience lab, I helped develop and patent our eye-tracking system. After validating it in our labs, I joined a program to explore its market potential and later co-founded Carolina Instruments to bring the technology to other neuroscience labs across the U.S.

Interests outside of work:  

Outside of work, I like to go on hikes with my dog and lift weights. I also have recently been teaching myself how to sew!

Advice you would tell yourself at 13 years old:  

I would tell myself to embrace change and stay open to the unexpected. It is normal to want everything planned out, but some of the best opportunities come when you aren't even looking for them, especially when you step outside your comfort zone. The right path will reveal itself when you are focused on learning and growing, not chasing a specific outcome. I never would have imagined at 13 that I would one day own a company, but here I am!